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MSc. Václav Bystrianský, UCT Prague,

ročník 5

Faculty

Faculty of Environmental Technology

Field of study

Power engineering; Corrosion & Material science

Field of internship

Physical Sciences, Other

Specialization of Internship

Materials Science

Internship period (from - to)

28.9.2015 - 12.11.2015

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

flight ticket (550 EUR), university bus (free)

Insurance/Insurance company

ISIC insurance (Uniqa)

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Yes

Price of Visa

City of Internship

Qatar, Doha

Internship reference number

QA-2015-01-01

About the country

Location of the place

Qatar is located on small peninsula in Persian gulf. The natural border is mainly created by sea and the only land border is on the south of the country with Saudi Arabia. Expect very hot weather, but be also prepared for lot of cold air conditioning. It is therefore possible that you may sit inside, wearing two jumpers even though it is 40°C outside.

City

Doha is the capital city of Qatar and also it is the centre of "all life" in country. Doha is modern, rapidly developing urban city with rush traffic (public transport is under construction) full of cultural activities (museums, restaurants, etc..). Other cities are often located nearby factories and nothing much is goiong on there.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Since the Qatar is relatively small country and petrol is uncomparably cheap you will be able to travel almost anywhere in country and it will not take you more than 2 hours of driving. Just remember that whole country is just one big desert and therefore most activities or trips will be related to that (off-roading in SUV, camping on sealine, etc.)

Employer

Working at Qatar University is convenient in being treated as employee while enjoying all student activities, but as anywhere else also here some formalities may take time. Overall the University campus is one of well maintained and very nice place to stay even to late evening hours.

Work description

The main part of my job consist of conducting an experimental work in long-term project with MAERSK Oil concerning corrosion under insulation (CUI). Unfortuntely the project was just at the very beggining and the six weeks of my internship was not enough for getting involved more. Fortunately though, Qatar university also enabled me to work and continue on my own research and use as much laboratory space as I need.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

The salary could be tricky to get in advance since you are dealing with university funds but don't be desperate. All important expenses was fully covered (accomodation,transportation,food) therefore is very individual how much and for what you will spend your money but it is still enough to live comfortably.

Language requirements

Most people are fluent in english and willing to use it. Arabic could be handy for negotiationg the price on markets.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

Qatar university provided free accommodation in Students Male hostel located in outer centre of Doha. The hostel also servers as dormatory for other university students, therefore it is good place for interact with locals and meet new friends. The quality of accommodation may be considered as average/below average according to european standarts, but it needs to be noted that other services (3 meals/day, activity room with table and video games, sport facilities, free transportation to/from university) strongly improve the overall impression.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

Even though IAESTE Qatar is runned by only few people, all of them are trying to enjoy your internship to fullest. Apart from "more formal" activities as exploring the main sights in Doha e.g. Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic art, etc. they were very open-minded to organize other activities (desert off-roading, camping) to make you feel more as local. Any other help with settling down (i.e. pick-up at the airport, help with accommodation, etc...) is more than matter of course for them. :)

Meeting other foreign students

Qatar is more than multicultural country therfore there is high probability that most of the student you met will be foreign. And as mentioned before the best place where you met them is the students hostel.

Sport and culture

There is plenty of opportunities, either in hostel (gym, football, basketball) or in campus, where the whole sport complex is located. All facilities are free to use for QU Students (interns). Especially the swimming pool in QU campus is nice place where you actually can enjoy the hot weather and sun.

Food, local specialties

Also the food in hostel is funded, and it is plenty of it. If you are not too picky you could eat all internship like that. But eating in restaurants is also nice activity since is mostly tasty and affordable. If you I should pick one traditional "must-try" meal it would be machboos! Try it!

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

Skype, Facebook, and other social media works fine in Qatar.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

A friend of mine give me this advice before I left: "While you are living in an Arab country, don´t start a sentence with the word ´Why´. There are no good reasons why things are the way things are - just go with the flow." So yeah don't be desperate if things will not be as you imagine from the begining, they won't probably change later either. Just enjoy the moment, hot weather, cousine, friends and leave your hectic european soul locked in the closet.

What not to forget with you

Good mood, calm and open mind to try new things and explore new places.

Benefits of the internship

Apart from the overall pros of every IAESTE internship which gives you the unrepeatable opportunity to live&work in almost any country of the world, meeting new friends, etc..., my intership was great in gaining some psychical toughness, and self-balance.
Just enjoy the moment and be thankful for the people sharing the fun with you. Seriously.